Michael Seidman

Michael Seidman's bold interpretation of the Spanish Civil War builds on the project of his earlier monograph, Workers Against Work: Labor in Paris and Barcelona during the Popular Front (1991), to "bring back the individual" into historical studies.

This short text, drawing on H. E. Kaminsky's testimony, discusses the Spanish Revolution in regard to what was wrong in the CNT and UGT’s lack of critique of labour and work, as well as their unwillingness to address patriarchy.

"The implications of workers' resistance to work are far-reaching. The study of their reluctance to work shows that the claim by unions and political parties of the left to represent the working class is somewhat questionable. French and Spanish workers continued their traditional ways of resistance to labour in spite of calls by communists, socialists, anarchists or syndicalists for greater production.

A study of combat avoidance, fraternisation and desertion on both sides of the conflict during the Spanish civil war. We think that some of the conclusions may be overstated but in general the article is very informative.

Log in for more features

▶ Can comment on articles and discussions
▶ Get 'recent posts' refreshed more regularly
▶ Bookmark articles to your own reading list
▶ Use the site private messaging system
▶ Start forum discussions, submit articles, and more...